2017 S.C. Pannell Old McDonald Grenache, McLaren Vale

Steve’s interest in Grenache stretches back to the mid 90’s upon first arriving in McLaren Vale. A preference for making medium bodied wines lead him to Grenache and the love affair began.

Given the warm, Mediterranean climate, Grenache grows as well in ‘the Vale’ as any of the more revered Grenache regions including France’s Rhone Valley, Priorat in Spain and Italy’s Sardinia. It’s medium bodied nature also makes it ideal for our food, life style and climate.

It is unusual and rare to find 100% Grenache wines, as most of the time it is blended. Steve has been making a varietal Grenache from McLaren Vale for the past 20 years and can now provocatively state that he thinks it ages more gracefully than McLaren Vale Shiraz.

A cool year but don’t be fooled this is highly perfumed with anassortment of aromas and flavours including raspberry leaf, pomegranate, Turkish Delight, blood orange, violets and musk. It is succulent, juicy, elegant, light to medium bodied more Pinot like than previous vintages. The palate is vivacious and persistent with integrated, varietal sandy/gritty tannins providing a balanced finish, and a synergy with food. With the right cellaring conditions, this Grenache can be kept for 20 years.

A beautiful grenache, clarity its watchword: colour, aroma, varietal expression and aftertaste. Perfumed red berries of every description flow through the light to medium-bodied palate where pomegranate is foremost in shaping mouthfeel and flavour. Irresistible now or in 10 years hence.